West Side Story (1961)

In this article, we will be looking at 2019’s book “1001 Movies to See Before You Die” and going through each film in a random order that I have chosen. We will be looking at what constitutes this film to be on the list and whether I think this film deserves to be here at all. I want to make perfectly clear that I won’t be revealing details from this book such as analyses by film reporters who have written about the film in question, so if you want the book itself you’ll have to buy it. But I will be covering the book’s suggestions on which films should be your top priority. I wouldn’t doubt for a second that everyone reading this article has probably watched many of these movies anyway. But we are just here to have a bit of fun. We’re going to not just look at whether it should be on this list but we’re also going to look at why the film has such a legacy at all. Remember, this is the 2019 version of the book and so, films like “Joker” will not be featured in this book and any film that came out in 2020 (and if we get there, in 2021). So strap in and if you have your own suggestions then don’t hesitate to email me using the address in my bio. Let’s get on with it then.

West Side Story (1961) dir. by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins

Starring great names like Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer and national treasure, Rita Moreno , this film was interred in the Library of Congress within the National Film Registry in 1997 for being historically and culturally significant. Honestly, I think this film is gaining more and more importance by the day. I personally may not enjoy it myself, but I think that the racial injustices that this film depicts are very important and so, Steven Spielberg’s 2021 adaptation is welcomed to the film world. I wish him well with this classic.

Bosley Crowther weighed in on the film when it first came out. His review in the New York Times was really quite something. He stated about the film that:

"...in knocking it down and moving it from stage to screen is to reconstruct its fine material into nothing short of a cinema masterpiece.”

He also says that the genre and the tensions of the film is brilliant charged throughout the film experience. His exact words being:

“This pulsing persistence of rhythm all the way through the film--in the obviously organised dances, such as the arrogant show-offs of the Jets, that swirl through play-grounds, alleys, school gymnasiums and parking lots, and in the less conspicuous stagings, such as that of the "rumble" (battle) of the two kids--gives an over-beat of eloquence to the graphic realism of this film and sweeps it along, with Mr. Bernstein's' potent music, to the level of an operatic form.”

And commenting on the conclusion of the film, there is definitely something to be heard from Bosley Crowther’s review. He comments on the tragedy and the way in which there is a sense of ‘wastage’. I love Bosley Crowther’s use of language:

“In the end, of course, the moral of the tragedy comes through in the staggering sense of wastage of the energies of kids. It is screamed by the candy-store owner, played trenchantly by Ned Glass, when he flares, "You kids make this world lousy! When will you stop?”

I will link his review at the end of the article so that you can read the whole thing and decide for yourself whether he is correct on each facet of the film.

Roger Ebert weighed in on the film when it was released as well, he stated that:

"So the dancing is remarkable, and several of the songs have proven themselves by becoming standards, and there are moments of startling power and truth. West Side Story remains a landmark of musical history. But if the drama had been as edgy as the choreography, if the lead performances had matched Moreno's fierce concentration, if the gangs had been more dangerous and less like bad-boy Archies and Jugheads, if the ending had delivered on the pathos and tragedy of the original, there's no telling what might have resulted. The movie began with a brave vision, and it is best when you sense that vision surviving the process by which it was turned into safe entertainment.”

Honestly, though I personally did not enjoy the movie, I understand why many do and understand why it has gained so much traction since its release. I may not enjoy the movie but I will watch pretty much anything with Rita Moreno in it.

Here is:

Bosley Crowther’s New York Times Review

Roger Ebert’s Chicago Sun-Times Review